Kenneth Murray Jr. has yet to log one snap with the Tennessee Titans, but that has not prevented the 25-year-old from bringing a leadership quality to the team.
Murray and his Titans teammates welcomed linebacker Shane Ray, who signed on Thursday morning, to the team in a unique way on Day 2 of training camp.
“We kind of have this little thing where we do 20 up-downs every time we get somebody on defense,” Murray said, via Paul Kuharsky. “Yesterday, you guys saw us do the 20 up-downs. It’s a little tradition when we get somebody new.”
Murray and the Titans’ defense encircled Ray while he was doing the up-downs. Once completed, he was officially part of the team.
“It’s like a ‘Welcome to the Brotherhood,'” Murray said. “We all did our 20 (up-downs), so he’s doing his 20. Now that he did his 20, welcome to the brotherhood.”
Murray is expected to be a big part of the Titans’ defense in 2024 after signing a two-year, $18 million contract in free agency. The former Oklahoma standout spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers after being selected 23rd overall in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.
The Houston native played in 15 games last season and recorded 107 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, three sacks, four pass deflections, one interception, and four quarterback hits.
We’ll see if Ray ends up making the roster in a depth role, but it sure is nice to see the Titans having some leadership behind Jeffery Simmons and the defensive line.
